Kaycee Watt-Mandel and AFAMOUSTWISTEDSISTER Win Big at the Royal Crown Futurity
Kaycee Watt-Mandel and AFAMOUSTWISTEDSISTER win big at the Royal Crown Futurity in Rock Springs.
AFAMOUSTWISTEDSISTER affectionatly known as Sister, is by Dash Ta Fame, and out of Missin Matilda (by Missin Freckle), a mare Kaycees Mom, Elaine Watt (three-time Canadian Finals Rodeo Barrel Racing Champion and Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame Inductee) and sister Kirby Finkbeiner, have owned since she was two, and rode through high school and college rodeo. The story behind the registered name is that Sister was a c-section baby. Her dam had a twisted uterus. Missin Matilda was at Kirby Finkbieners (who is a vet) and she realized something was wrong. Kirby and Elaine rushed her to Moore & Company in Airdrie, Alberta where they performed a C-section on the mare. The vet and Kirby delivered the foal (Sister) and saved the dam as well. This was the first c-section they had done, and was a rare case where both survived.
Kaycee describes Sister as a very kind and willing mare. “She has taught me patience and how to be a competitor on her back. She loves to be loved on. I love that I can make a run on her and then put my 4 yr old daughter in the saddle with me and walk the pattern.”
Kaycee speaks very highly of The Royal Crown. “This was an amazing event to attend. My Mom and I decided to go for it and enter after Sister had done well at the Kalispell Futurity in July. There were so many great horses and trainers at this event. It was fun to watch and to compete along side them. I was very proud of my horse and how we both stepped up to the plate, and ran with some of the best. When I left the house to go down to the Royal Crown, my husband told me, “believe in yourself and your training.” This was the largest cheque I have won and was excited for Sister as well as the owners, my parents (Elaine & Neil Watt.) I can't wait to go back to this event.”
In round one, Kaycee and Sister finished fourth with a $15,000 payday, behind Kassie Mowry, Pete Oen and Madison Wilkerson. In round two, the duo finished 15th with $1,000 pocketed for their efforts. They also cashed in $20,000 in aggregate pay. A nice $36,000 to take home North of the border.
Kaycee knows the work that is put into large barrel racing events all too well. Alongside her mother and sisters, Kirby, Katelan, Kendra and Kipty, they produce the Yellow Rose Futurity and Derby in Claresholm, Alberta, in memory of their brother, Kade who passed away from Infant Death Syndrome. “These event coordinators and producers work very hard on ground conditions and making sure we have everything we need, so I just want to thank the producers of the event, because I know that they do not get enough credit for all the hard work they put into these events.”
The next event Kaycee and Sister will be competing at is the Fizz Bomb Classic in Gillette, Wyoming. They will be competing in the Futurity and will also be trying to qualify for the Breeder Challenge in Fort Worth, Texas this September. She will also be competing on her Derby horse, Flaming Fire An Fame in the qualifier.
“There are so many people to thank for keeping me going. Someone once told me that it takes a village to raise a child.. well I think it takes a village to make a great horse. My husband, Dusty and my girls, Adlee & Aubree are always there to tell me something positive everyday, and my girls are usually there at the events with me so no matter what the day brings, they always make me smile at the end of the day. My Mom and Dad, Elaine & Neil Watt, who are the owners of the mare. All of my siblings were cheering me on through the weekend. My vets Kirby Finkbiener (Berry Creek Vet Services) & Walker & Selina Watt (Watt Equine). My in-law and extended family & friends are always cheering me on and there to help me with my girls when I need to ride or go to an event. I have a friend in Texas that I can call for great horsemanship advice that helps me keep my horses correct. Frontier Western Shop (Travis & Sierra Booth) always keeps me stocked up with all the horse supplies I need. My younger sister, Kipty was at the Royal Crown with me and I just remember after the first round she read the results before me and texted me and said, “Kaycee, you just made $ 15,000 in the round.” I was so excited. I think she might have been more excited than me, which is so fun.”
All the best to Kaycee and Sister on the remainder of their futurity season.
